Free Montana Rental Application Form

Landlords use Montana rental applications to screen and assess potential tenants before committing to an official lease. This legal document allows you to safely and confidentially collect this data from the applicant to make an informed decision on if they are the right option for your rental property.  

Rental applications are also sometimes known as:

• Applications for a rental property

• Lease applications

• Rental Lease applications

• Tenant applications

The rental application document you use must be designed with MT’s statutes in mind. Nevertheless, you can use a rental agreement to collect the following information:

• The tenant’s rental history

• Information about their income

• Details on criminal record and credit history

• Personal references for the applicant

You will need to choose the correct type of rental application template depending on the people you are renting to and your property’s designation. There are two options to choose from  in Montana, which can be seen below.

Before starting your own Montana rental application, it’s a good idea to look over a sample document first. Use our example rental application below to get a clearer idea of what you should include and how the final form will appear.

Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on a Montana rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.

The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.

There are a few laws that must be followed in Montana when you create a rental application for tenants. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to serious legal consequences and allow the tenant to sue. 

Application Fee

You can charge as much as you wish as a rental application fee. There are no laws in Montana providing a set limit, although it is recommended to only charge enough to cover the costs of any background checks. Any amount charged to the tenant is also non-refundable. 

Security Deposit

Montanadoesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount (MT Code § 70-25-201). 

Housing Discrimination Law

There are no set laws in Montana that specifically limit housing discrimination. However, all states must adhere to the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA is a federal law that prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their:

• Race

• Nationality

• Religion

• Sex

• Familial status

• Disability

• Criminal history

Notice of Eligibility

Tenants must be told about any specific screening criteria, as well as the reasons that they could be denied or approved by the landlord. To show that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment from the tenant is required.

Consent Credit Check

Under the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), tenants being screened in Montana must consent to any credit checks you wish to carry out. To make sure you comply with the law, the applicant must provide written acknowledgment of the screening on the application form.

There are various other legal documents that landlords must take into account when considering new tenants. Get expert guidance on preparing other personalized property forms with our other free printable templates for the following legal forms: 

Residential Lease Agreement

A Montana Residential Lease Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of a tenancy in a residential rental property. It establishes the rights and duties of both the renter and the landlord.

Eviction Notice

When a tenant is in violation of their lease agreement, a Montana Eviction Notice must be used to inform them of the breach.